On the go and no time to finish that story right now? Your News is the place for you to save content to read later from any device. Register with us and content you save will appear here so you can access them to read later.

A group of New Zealand tourist businesses have been targeting key European markets at the biggest travel expo in the world during the past five days.

A group of around 15 businesses including Rotorua's Te Puia, Jucy rentals Hobbiton and Air New Zealand have been exhibiting to around 1000 travel buyers and 120,000 visitors at International Tourismus Borse (ITB) in Berlin.

Airlines, tourist operations and state tourist bodies from 184 countries showed off their latest products in the exhibition centre in the western part of the city.

The New Zealand businesses paid up to $5000 to display in one of 26 halls.

Most inquiries on the first day centred on what new offerings the attractions had in the coming year.

Hobbiton's sales manager Henry Horne said the expo allowed his company to stay connected with global partners.

''The good news is that demand and interest continues to grow with most agents saying that it is generally on the most tourists must-do lists in regards to itineraries. Many dates over the peak period were booked weeks in advance so free [and independent] travellers are missing out.''

Some events such as the unveiling of Qatar Airways' new business class suites led to a media scrum. Photo / Grant Bradley

De Monchy said the growth in airlines coming to New Zealand was a great benefit.

"With us being a bit further away than most destinations that barrier is a bit higher, too. Having multiple ways of getting into New Zealand through different carriers with different routes is hugely important."

New carrier Qatar Airways now links New Zealand to about 40 European cities through Doha while Emirates has increased its capacity during the past year to connect to a similar number of centres.

Tourism New Zealand's regional manager for Europe, Pip Casey, said ITB presented a massive opportunity to showcase New Zealand tourism products to European tour operators.

"We have seen significant growth from our European markets recently with an increase in visitor arrivals from Germany of 15 per cent and 12 per cent from the UK for the year ending December 2016. We're also witnessing a continuing trend of these visitors coming to New Zealand in the shoulder seasons."

Having New Zealand tourism operators at market events will help to educate buyers about the great product New Zealand has to offer.